eBrain Forum of Zambia

The e-Brain Forum of Zambia is a national multi-stakeholder organization whose over-riding objective is to develop a common knowledge-sharing community on the use of ICTs to foster social and economic development.

eBrain is a member- based organization and active in the areas of policy dialogue, awareness raising and membership support.

The Forum was established in June 2001 and officially registered as a development oriented, not for profit organization in April 2002. IICD is a founding partner and has provided support to eBrain since 2001.

Vision

Maximizing the impact of ICTs on national development and reducing the digital divide

Mission

To contribute towards the improvement of the quality of life through the use of ICTs in the development process

Objectives

• To share knowledge and information on ICTs
• To promote advocacy activities on the effective use and application of ICTs
• To mobilize adequate resources for sustainable and effective running of the Forum
• To conduct research in ICTs in order to generate information and knowledge for end-users
• To undertake capacity building programmes in order to foster the effective use and application of ICTs
• To lobby and influence national policies and programmes
• To network in ICTs at various levels so as to enhance information sharing and best practices
• To develop an effective and relevant administration and management structure in order to ensure efficient coordination of programmes

Activities

1. Policy dialogue and interaction

ICT is a crosscutting issue in many sectors. EBrain engages in policy dialogue with the government in national ICT and sector policy formulation involving its membership. e-Brain promotes research to underpin its policy advocacy in partnership with relevant stakeholders and its membership. Examples are the reduction of the tax tariff on ICT equipment, participation in the development of the ICT in Educational policy and engagement in the national ICT policy formulation and implementation process.

2. Awareness Raising and knowledge sharing

The value, potential application and knowledge requirements are not widely known because development takes place rapidly. Information on new developments or results of research is shared with the members and other interested partners via:

• Monthly Meetings on current topics
• Website with news
• Newsletters
• Exhibitions to promote ICT in development
• Production of booklets and DVD on good practices of ICT4D in Zambia

3. Membership Support

EBrain offers its members services that help them in carrying out their work. Activities include:

1. Opportunities for sharing lessons learnt
2. Project Node for IICD project partners
3. Thematic working groups on Agriculture & Livelihoods, Health, Education, eCommerce, Rural Access, Environment & Tourism and eGovernance
4. On-line dialogue forum for sharing news and discussing current issues
5. On-line platform for storing and managing own content
6. Website with relevant news as well as information on donors, partners and resources
7. Brokering between the offer of ICT services and skills, demand for support from partners and funding opportunities 

Contact Us

Lusaka, Zambia
Tel/fax: +260211232036
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